Saturday, January 22, 2011

From Caique Jiu Jitsu Academy:

From Caique Jiu Jitsu Academy:
The Instituto da Criança (The Children's Institute) was founded in 1994 and is dedicated to promoting social change and sustainable development through social entrepreneurship for the benefit of underserve children and their families in Brazil. Master Caique has been involved with the institute since it's beginning, his long-time friend Pedro Werneck has grown it into a nation wide program.

Last year Master Caique was proud to able to have made possible for 200 children to stay in school by renewing a vital financial sponsorship for them.

We have exciting news to share with you. For the past several years, our efforts to raise support for IC's vital work in caring for children in Brazil have been carried out on a strictly volunteer basis. Now we are pleased to announce the addition of a professional member to our team: Mark H. Hansen, a seasoned fundraiser with a Ph.D. in Brazilian history and extensive experience in helping charities. Mark is American-born but grew up in São Paulo, and most importantly, shares our passion for improving the lives of Brazil's underserved children. Thanks to the support of its friends -- including many of you right here in the New York area - the Instituto da Crianca has many accomplishments to be proud of over the past few years: Over 15,000 individuals, from infants to the elderly, have been impacted in vital ways An estimated $6 million in monetary contributions were disbursed to 21 different institutions Several tons of foodstuffs, clothing, and masonry material are collected and distributed monthly. A permanent staff of 15 professionals oversee 150 full-time employees at affiliated institutions Over 550 volunteers have been mobilized to support the IC's activities and programs 165 corporations have extended their support through partnerships and sponsorship of events. Over 40 NGO's have been enlisted to provide support, advice and networking, with a special partnership forged with the BrazilFoundation here in the USA Offices in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, in addition to our own presence here in the USA.

To those of you who have supported the IC in the past, we thank you once again for all you done to make this all possible. For those who may be new to the IC, we would love to tell you more and hope you will choose to become a supporter as well. Please visit our English-language website at Children Institute (http://www.childrensinstitutebr.org/sobre_ic_ni.php ) or even better, contact Mark Hansen himself at markhansen@insitutodacrianca.org.br to arrange for a brief informational visit. Mark would love to share his enthusiasm from having witnessed the wonderful impact of IC's work with Brazil's children first-hand.

Thank you for your interest
Sincerely,
Caique Jiu Jitsu Academy